BILL NUMBER: SB 216	CHAPTERED  10/10/99

	CHAPTER   789
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   OCTOBER 10, 1999
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR   OCTOBER 7, 1999
	PASSED THE SENATE   SEPTEMBER 10, 1999
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY   SEPTEMBER 9, 1999
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   SEPTEMBER 8, 1999
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   AUGUST 16, 1999
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   JULY 8, 1999
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   JUNE 17, 1999
	AMENDED IN SENATE   MAY 10, 1999
	AMENDED IN SENATE   APRIL 26, 1999
	AMENDED IN SENATE   MARCH 17, 1999
	AMENDED IN SENATE   FEBRUARY 25, 1999

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Solis
   (Coauthors:  Senators Bowen, Escutia, Hayden, Karnette, and
Murray)
   (Coauthors:  Assembly Members Ackerman, Calderon, Cedillo, Floyd,
Gallegos, Lowenthal, Margett, and Romero)

                        JANUARY 21, 1999

   An act to add Division 22.8 (commencing with Section 32600) to the
Public Resources Code, relating to the San Gabriel and Lower Los
Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 216, Solis.  San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and
Mountains Conservancy.
   (1) Existing law authorizes various conservancies to acquire,
manage, and conserve public lands in the state.
   This bill would establish the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles
Rivers and Mountains Conservancy to acquire and manage specified
lands within the main San Gabriel Basin, the San Gabriel River and
its tributaries, the Lower Los Angeles River and its tributaries, and
the San Gabriel Mountains, and would prescribe the management,
powers, and duties of the conservancy, as specified.
   (2) This bill would become operative only if this bill is
chaptered after AB 1355 of the 1999-2000 Regular Session.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  Division 22.8 (commencing with Section 32600) is added
to the Public Resources Code, to read:

      DIVISION 22.8.  SAN GABRIEL AND LOWER LOS ANGELES RIVERS AND
MOUNTAINS CONSERVANCY
      CHAPTER 1.  GENERAL PROVISIONS

   32600.  This division shall be known, and may be cited, as the San
Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy Act.

   32601.  The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the San
Gabriel River and its tributaries, the Lower Los Angeles River and
its tributaries, and the San Gabriel Mountains, Puente Hills, and San
Jose Hills constitute a unique and important open-space,
environmental, anthropological, cultural, scientific, educational,
recreational, scenic, and wildlife resource that should be held in
trust to be preserved and enhanced for the enjoyment of, and
appreciation by, present and future generations.
   32602.  There is in the Resources Agency, the San Gabriel and
Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, which is created
as a state agency for the following purposes:
   (a) To acquire and manage public lands within the Lower Los
Angeles River and San Gabriel River watersheds, and to provide
open-space, low-impact recreational and educational uses, water
conservation, watershed improvement, wildlife and habitat restoration
and protection, and watershed improvement within the territory.
   (b) To preserve the San Gabriel River and the Lower Los Angeles
River consistent with existing and adopted river and flood control
projects for the protection of life and property.
   (c) To acquire open-space lands within the territory of the
conservancy.
   (d) To provide for the public's enjoyment and enhancement of
recreational and educational experiences on public lands in the San
Gabriel Watershed and Lower Los Angeles River, and the San Gabriel
Mountains in a manner consistent with the protection of lands and
resources in those watersheds.

      CHAPTER 3.  CONSERVANCY

   32604.  The conservancy shall do all of the following:
   (a) Establish policies and priorities for the conservancy
regarding the San Gabriel River and the Lower Los Angeles River, and
their watersheds, and conduct any necessary planning activities, in
accordance with the purposes set forth in Section 32602.
   (b) Give priority to river related projects that create expanded
opportunities for recreation, greening, aesthetic improvement, and
wildlife habitat along the corridor of the river, and in parts of the
river channel that can be improved for the above purposes without
infringing on water quality, water supply, and necessary flood
control.
   (c) Approve conservancy funded projects that advance the policies
and priorities set forth in Section 32602.
   (d) Prepare a San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Parkway and Open
Space Plan to be approved by a majority of the cities representing a
majority of the population, the Board of Supervisors of Los Angeles
County, and by the Central Basin Water Association and the San
Gabriel Valley Watermaster.  The plan shall include, but not be
limited to, all of the following elements:
   (1) A determination of the policies and priorities for the
conservation of the San Gabriel River and its watershed, the Lower
Los Angeles River, and the San Gabriel Mountains, in accordance with
the purposes of the conservancy as set forth in Section 32602.
   (2) A plan for incorporating, as relevant, the principles and
planning work contained within the Los Angeles River Master Plan
prepared by the County of Los Angeles.
   (3) An identification of underused existing public open spaces and
recommendations for providing better public use and enjoyment in
areas identified in the plan.
   (4) An identification of, and a priority program for implementing,
those additional low-impact recreational and open space needs,
including additional or upgraded facilities and parks that may be
necessary or desirable.
   32605.  The board shall consist of 13 voting members and seven
nonvoting members, as follows:
   (a) The 13 voting members of the board shall consist of all of the
following:
   (1) One member of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Los
Angeles who represents the area or a portion thereof contained within
the territory of the conservancy, appointed by the Governor.
   (2) Two members of the board of directors of the San Gabriel
Valley Council of Governments, one of whom shall be a mayor or city
council member of a city bordering along the San Gabriel River, and
one of whom shall be a mayor or city council member of a city
bordering the San Gabriel Mountains area.  One member shall be
appointed by a majority of the membership of that board of directors,
and one member shall be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules
from a list of potential members submitted by the board of directors.

   (3) Two members of the board of directors of the Gateway Cities
Council of Governments, one of whom shall be the mayor of the City of
Long Beach or a city council member of the City of Long Beach
appointed by the mayor, and one of whom shall be appointed by the
Speaker of the Assembly from a list of potential members submitted by
the executive committee of the board of directors of the Gateway
Cities Council of Governments.  The executive committee shall submit
lists of potential members to the Speaker of the Assembly until an
acceptable member is appointed.
   (4) Two members of the Orange County Division of the League of
California Cities, both of whom shall be a mayor or city council
member of a city bordering along the San Gabriel River or a tributary
thereof.  One member shall be appointed by a majority of the
membership of the city selection committee of Orange County, and one
member shall be appointed by the Governor from a list of potential
members submitted by the city selection committee.
   (5) One member shall be a representative of a member of the San
Gabriel Water Association appointed by a majority of the membership
of the board of directors of the San Gabriel Basin Water Association.

   (6) One member shall be a representative of the Central Basin
Water Association appointed by a majority of the membership of the
board of directors of the Central Basin Water Association.
   (7) One member shall be a resident of Los Angeles County appointed
by the Governor from a list of potential members submitted by local,
state, and national environmental organizations that operate within
the County of Los Angeles and within the territory of the conservancy
and that have participated in planning for river restoration or open
space, or both, or river preservation.
   (8) The Secretary of the Resources Agency, or his or her designee.

   (9) The Secretary for Environmental Protection, or his or her
designee.
   (10) The Director of Finance, or his or her designee.
   (b) The seven ex officio, nonvoting members shall consist of the
following officers or an employee of each agency designated annually
by that officer to represent the office or agency:
   (1) The District Engineer of the United States Army Corps of
Engineers.
   (2) The Regional Forester for the Pacific Southwest Region of the
United States Forest Service.
   (3) The Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public
Works.
   (4) The Director of the Orange County Department of Public Works.

   (5) A member of the San Gabriel Watermaster, appointed by a
majority of the members of the San Gabriel River Watermaster.
   (6) The Director of Parks and Recreation.
   (7) The executive officer of the Wildlife Conservation Board.
   32606.  (a) Except as provided in subdivision (c), the term of
each voting member of the board shall be two years.  Any vacancy
shall be filled within 60 days of its occurrence by the appointing
authority.
   (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), no person shall continue as a
member of the board if he or she ceases to hold the office that
qualifies that person to be appointed as a member of the board, or in
the case of the member appointed pursuant to paragraph (5) or (6) of
subdivision (a) of Section 32605, ceases to represent a member of
the association.  The membership on the board held by the person
shall terminate immediately upon ceasing to hold that qualifying
office or membership.  Except as provided in subdivision (c), the
position of any member appointed by the Governor shall be deemed
vacant immediately if the member ceases to be a resident of the
applicable territory.
   (c) The term of each of the members appointed pursuant to
paragraphs (2) and (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 32605 shall be
two years, or until the member's successor is appointed, whichever is
longer.
   32607.  (a) The voting members of the board shall elect a
chairperson, vice chairperson, and other officers, as determined to
be necessary, from among the board members.  The terms of those
offices shall be determined by the board.
   (b) The conservancy may employ an executive officer and other
necessary staff to perform functions that cannot be provided by the
existing personnel, by others on a contract basis, or by volunteers,
and may enter into contracts for services requiring knowledge,
experience, and ability not possessed by the conservancy staff.  All
those contracts shall be approved by the board.
   32608.  Members of the board who are not full-time public
employees shall be compensated at a rate not to exceed seventy-five
dollars ($75) per regular meeting, not to exceed 12 regular meetings
per year, and the actual and necessary expenses incurred in the
performance of their duties.  Any member may waive compensation.
   32609.  (a) A quorum shall consist of a majority of the voting
members of the board.  All meetings of the board shall be held in
accordance with the Bagley-Keene Open Meetings Act (Article 9
(commencing with Section 11120) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 3
of Title 2 of the Government Code).
   (b) Any action of the board affecting any matter shall be taken by
a majority vote of the membership of the board, a quorum being
present.

      CHAPTER 4.  POWERS AND DUTIES

   32611.  The conservancy may manage, operate, administer, and
maintain the lands and facilities it acquires, in accordance with the
purposes set forth in Section 32602.  The conservancy may adopt
regulations governing the use by the public of conservancy lands and
facilities and may provide for the enforcement of those regulations.

   32612.  (a) The conservancy may acquire real property or any
interest in real property pursuant to the Property Acquisition Law
(Part 11 (commencing with Section 15850) of Division 3 of Title 2 of
the Government Code) within the conservancy's territory from willing
sellers and at fair market value, upon a finding that the acquisition
is consistent with the purposes of the conservancy, as set forth in
Section 32602.  The conservancy may acquire the property itself or
may coordinate the acquisition through other public agencies that
have the authority to acquire property and that have available
funding or land to exchange.  The conservancy may hold a remainder
interest in property in those instances in which an owner desires to
sell the property and retain a life estate, and may create and
administer a mitigation land bank and arrange land exchanges,
consistent with the purposes set forth in Section 32602.  The overall
objective of the land acquisition program shall be to assist in
accomplishing land transactions that are mutually beneficial to the
landowner and the conservancy, and that meet the conservancy's
purposes.  Neither the conservancy nor the State Public Works Board
shall exercise the power of eminent domain pursuant to this division.

   (b) To the extent not in conflict with any other law, the
conservancy may exercise the right of first refusal for surplus
public agency property located within its territory for the purposes
of the conservancy set forth in Section 32602 subject to the
conditions and provisions of the adopted San Gabriel and Lower Los
Angeles Parkway and Open Space Plan, and shall conform to all
relevant general and specific plans and zoning regulations of local
agencies within the territory of the conservancy.
   (c) Prior to entering into an agreement to acquire any interest in
real property within the territory of the conservancy for open space
or conservation purposes, the conservancy shall provide 30 days
written notice to the legislative body of the affected local agency,
if such a project was not included in the San Gabriel and Lower Los
Angeles Parkway and Open Space Plan.
   32613.  (a) The conservancy shall have, and may exercise, all
rights and powers, expressed or implied, necessary to carry out the
purposes of this division, except as otherwise provided.
   (b) The conservancy may not levy a tax, exercise the power of
eminent domain, or regulate land use except on lands it owns, manages
or controls.  The conservancy shall be subject to all laws,
regulations, and general and specific plans of the legislative body
of any city in which the conservancy proposes to take action.
   32614.  The conservancy may do all of the following:
   (a) Sue and be sued.
   (b) Enter into contracts with any public agency, private entity,
or person necessary for the proper discharge of the conservancy's
duties, and enter into a joint powers agreement with a public agency,
in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Section 32602.
   (c) Lease, rent, sell, exchange, or otherwise transfer any real
property or interest therein or any option acquired under this
division to a local public agency, state agency, federal agency,
nonprofit organization, individual, or other entity pursuant to terms
and conditions approved by the conservancy pursuant to terms and
conditions approved by the conservancy for management purposes, in
accordance with the purposes set forth in Section 32602.  Prior to
entering into an agreement to lease, rent, sell, exchange, or
otherwise transfer any real property or interest therein or any
option acquired under this division within the territory of the
conservancy, the conservancy shall provide 30 days written notice to
the legislative body of the affected local agency, if the project was
not included in the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Parkway and
Open Space Plan.
   (d) Initiate, negotiate, and participate in an agreement for the
management of land under its ownership or control by a local public
agency, state agency, federal agency, nonprofit organization,
individual, or other entity, and initiate, negotiate, and participate
in an agreement for the management of land under the ownership or
control of any of those entities by the conservancy, in accordance
with the purposes set forth in Section 32602.
   (e) Enter into any other agreement with any public agency, private
entity, or person necessary for the proper discharge of the
conservancy's duties for the purposes set forth in Section 32602.
   (f) Recruit and coordinate volunteers and experts to conduct
interpretive and recreational programs and assist with construction
projects and the maintenance of parkway facilities.
   (g) Undertake, within the territory, site improvement projects,
regulate public access, and revegetate and otherwise rehabilitate
degraded areas, in consultation with any other public agency with
appropriate jurisdiction and expertise, in accordance with the
purposes set forth in Section 32602.  The conservancy may also,
within the territory, upgrade deteriorating facilities and construct
new facilities as needed for outdoor recreation, nature appreciation
and interpretation, and natural resources projection.  The
conservancy may undertake those projects by itself or in conjunction
with another local agency; however, the conservancy shall provide
overall coordination of those projects by setting priorities for the
projects and by ensuring a uniform approach to projects.  The
conservancy may undertake those projects with prior notification to
the legislative body of the local agency that has jurisdiction in the
area in which the conservancy proposes to undertake that activity.
   32614.5.  (a) The conservancy may award grants to local public
agencies, state agencies, federal agencies, and nonprofit
organizations for the purposes of this division.
   (b) Grants to nonprofit organizations for the acquisition of real
property or interests in real property shall be subject to all of the
following conditions:
   (1) The purchase price of any interest in land acquired by the
nonprofit organization may not exceed fair market value as
established by an appraisal approved by the conservancy.
   (2) The conservancy approves the terms under which the interest in
land is acquired.
   (3) The interest in land acquired pursuant to a grant from the
conservancy may not be used as security for any debt incurred by the
nonprofit organization unless the conservancy approves the
transaction.
   (4) The transfer of land acquired pursuant to a grant shall be
subject to the approval of the conservancy and the execution of an
agreement between the conservancy and the transferee sufficient to
protect the interests of the state.
   (5) The state shall have a right of entry and power of termination
in and over all interests in real property acquired with state
funds, which may be exercised if any essential term or condition of
the grant is violated.
   (6) If the existence of the nonprofit organization is terminated
for any reason, title to all interest in real property acquired with
state funds shall immediately vest in the state, except that, prior
to that termination, another public agency or nonprofit organization
may receive title to all or a portion of that interest in real
property, by recording its acceptance of title, together with the
conservancy's approval, in writing.
   (c) Any deed or other instrument of conveyance whereby real
property is acquired by a nonprofit organization pursuant to this
section shall be recorded and shall set forth the executory interest
or right of entry on the part of the state.
   32615.  The conservancy shall administer any funds appropriated to
it, and may expend those funds for capital improvements, land
acquisition, or support of the conservancy's operations, in
accordance with the purposes set forth in Section 32602.  The
conservancy may also accept any revenue, money, grants, goods, or
services contributed to it by any public agency, private entity, or
person and, upon receipt, may use the revenue, money, grants, goods,
or services for capital improvements, land acquisitions, or support
of the conservancy's operations, in accordance with the purposes set
forth in Section 32602.
   32616.  (a) The conservancy may fix and collect fees for the use
of any land owned or controlled, or for any service provided, by the
conservancy.  No fee shall exceed the cost of maintaining and
operating the land or of providing the service for which the fee is
charged.
   (b) The fee revenue and all other revenue received pursuant to
this division shall be deposited in the San Gabriel and Lower Los
Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy Fund, which is hereby
created in the State Treasury.  The money in the fund shall be
expended by the conservancy, upon appropriation by the Legislature,
for the purposes of this division.
  SEC. 2.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the seven
hundred thousand dollars ($700,000) appropriated pursuant to Schedule
(b) of Item 0540-103-0001 of Section 2.00 of the Budget Act of 1999
shall be available for the support of the San Gabriel and Lower Los
Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, as established pursuant to
this act and Assembly Bill 1355 of the 1999-2000 Regular Session.
  SEC. 3.  The Legislature recognizes that Chapter 1 (commencing with
Section 32600) of Division 22.8 of the Public Resources Code, as
added by this bill, is identical to Chapter 1 (commencing with
Section 32600), as added by Assembly Bill 1355.  It is the intent of
the Legislature that Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 32600) as
added by both bills be given effect.  It is also the intent of the
Legislature that the provisions of this bill which add Chapter 3
(commencing with Section 32604) and Chapter 4 (commencing with
Section 32611) of Division 22.8 of the Public Resources Code be
integrated with Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 32603) and Chapter
5 (commencing with Section 32620) of Division 22.8 of the Public
Resources Code, as added by Assembly Bill 1355, with the result that
there be one Division 22.8 (commencing with Section 32600) of the
Public Resources Code which would establish the San Gabriel and Lower
Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy.
  SEC. 4.  Section 2 of this act shall be operative only if this bill
is chaptered after Assembly Bill 1355 of the 1999-2000 Regular
Session.
  SEC. 5.  This bill shall become operative only if Assembly Bill
1355 of the 1999-2000 Regular Session is enacted and becomes
effective on or before January 1, 2000.
